BLOGS

Webinar: Property, tax, borrowing and more.

On 14 February 2024, Stuart Wemyss joined Pete Wargent to discuss a variety of topics including the Stage 3 tax cuts, challenges with borrowing capacity and how to overcome them, property valuation strategies, superannuation investment strategies and much more.

Warning: Share market close to all-time high. What to do…

The stock market has kicked off the year on a positive note, reaching record highs in the US. While this may initially appear promising, it’s essential to consider potential risks that investors need to be mindful of. On the flip side, I identify promising investment opportunities amidst these considerations.  Past performance should guide decision-making   The …

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Investment bonds: what are they and are they worthwhile?

Investment bonds are promoted as tax-efficient investment solutions, particularly if investing on behalf of children. In this blog, I consider the advantages and disadvantages of these bonds and discuss alternative investment options for consideration. In short, we almost never recommend using investment bonds. Here’s why…   What is an investment bond?   An investment bond is a …

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Accelerate home loan repayment: There are only 4 ways

A key financial goal for most people is to eventually repay their home loan. Last year I outlined 3 questions you must ask yourself to determine whether repaying your home loan is your top priority – see here.   The internet is filled with countless ideas on how to repay your home loan faster. However, many …

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2024 Property Outlook: Analysing the impact of inflation, tax cuts and market dynamics

This year, there are many unique factors that could influence the property market. Exploring how these elements might impact property prices is intriguing. Of course, the longer-term outlook is important for investors, as it better aligns with their investment horizon. Short-term market expectations likely hold more relevance for potential vendors. Markets hate uncertainty The dominant …

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Three steps to avoid becoming a banking scam victim

The government projects that scams cost Australians $3.1 billion per year. Given that more of our life is becoming digitalised, especially with banking and financial services, we are more susceptible to scams. It’s critical that you take active steps to protect your money.    Most common scams are… According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, scams …

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Investment curveballs in 2023: 4 important lessons to remember for 2024

As investors, we gain invaluable insights by experiencing various markets and events, and by reflecting on our actions—those we took and those we didn’t. I firmly believe that experience is the key factor in preventing costly investment mistakes.   Hence, I dedicate time each year to ponder the lessons provided by the market in the preceding …

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Sydney versus Melbourne: An Investor’s Perspective

Sydney’s housing market has shown robust growth since the early 1980s, with the median house price doubling approximately every decade during this period. In fact, several suburbs have delivered above-average growth. Melbourne has experienced comparable growth rates over the last 40 years. However, in contrast to Sydney, property in Melbourne tends to be more affordable, …

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Why common-sense tax reform is vital to Australia’s future

A few weeks ago, I discussed the limitations of using monetary policy – increasing interest rates – to tackle inflation. I highlighted that only 37% of Australians have mortgages, so they are the only ones that are directly affected by higher rates. Conversely, around 30% of Australians without mortgages benefit from higher interest rates as …

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What does the rental yield tell you about a property?

A property’s rental yield is the amount of gross rental income that it attracts relative to its market value. In Australia, gross residential property rental yields typically fall between 2% and 5% annually. This yield can provide insights into a property’s fundamentals and therefore anticipated investment returns. What drives a property’s rental yield? Two primary …

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